TRA conducts exercise to test and update the National Emergency Plan for the UAE telecom sector to enhance preparedness in emergency and crises situations

Abu Dhabi, (9th July, 2013)

The Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (TRA) coordinated the 'Sada Al Barq' exercise on June 25th, 2013 at its office in Dubai. The purpose of the exercise was to reassess the current 'National Emergency Plan' (NEP-T) in place for the UAE's telecommunications sector and to update procedures to ensure maximum effectiveness in times of emergency and crisis. Both UAE licensees the Emirates Telecommunications Corporation "Etisalat" and Emirates Integrated Telecommunications Company "du" participated in the exercise held in conjunction with The National Emergency Crisis and Disaster Management Authority (NCEMA).

First issued by the TRA in April 2011, the UAE telecomm sector 'National Emergency Plan' was designed to develop an integrated framework for the management of national emergencies. The plan contained a range of measures including internal audits of UAE telecomm companies and the instruction to participate in a series of training programs in order to assess their compatibility with the requirements outlined in the plan. The innovative 'Sada Al Barq' exercise is the first of its kind in the UAE telecommunications sector in and is one of a series of exercises planned to take place designed to test the effectiveness of the NEP-T against a credible emergency scenarios. The TRA took a full year to prepare the exercise in order establish both the scope of the work to and the goals of the project.

"The 'Sada Al Barq' exercise was an ideal opportunity to exchange information and expertise in relation to emergency management procedure. It also allows us to review current systems and where necessary, update them to ensure the UAE is in the best possible position to respond effectively in times of emergency," said H.E. Majed Sultan Ahmed Al-Mesmar, TRA Deputy Director General for telecommunications sector.

"This exercise falls in line with wider UAE Government directives and illustrates our commitment to supporting the progress of the nation as a whole. The telecomm sector is a critical part of the nation's infrastructure and especially where emergency situations are concerned. The TRA is committed to working alongside service providers, licensees and strategic partners to develop the most effective procedures to mitigate the impact of potential national crises," he added.

Saif bin Ghalaita, Chairman of National Committee for Telecoms Emergency, added: "These exercises are not only important to test the nation's current emergency response procedures but also to identify areas in need of improvement. Establishing the best procedures and processes in emergency situations was the focus of the exercise with the view to ensuring that the key components of the nation's infrastructure can and will continue to operate effectively. We have completed the first wave of 'Sada Al Barq' training and many more sessions are to come. Making sure the UAE's NEP-T is updated with the very latest global developments and technology in the field of emergency planning is of paramount importance and future exercise programs will ensure that is indeed the case."

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About the Telecommunications Regulatory Authority
TRA is building the core ICT regulatory framework for the UAE's burgeoning knowledge economy. ICT development underpins economic growth and social advancement, and is a critical pillar in the nation's broader 2021 Vision. 
The TRA supports the UAE's ICT sector by safeguarding competition to protect the interests of subscribers, enhancing the readiness of e-services, encouraging investment, innovation and development, whilst facilitating a broader ecosystem for human capital development.
For more information about the TRA, please visit: www.tra.gov.ae

© Press Release 2013